Pneumatic bolster

Abstract

A pneumatic cushion or bolster adapted to function as a bumper for boats, as protective packaging and as pneumatic elements included in wearing apparel. The bolster is composed of a non-stretchable fabric casing shaped to define, when fully expanded, a bolster in a configuration appropriate to its intended use, the casing having a small, closable port therein. Inserted through the port in its unexpanded state is a rubber balloon whose stem initially projects out from the port to permit mouth inflation of the balloon to an extent causing it to engage and conform to the inner surface of the casing. The stem is then tied and pushed within the casing, after which the port is closed, thereby fully encasing the balloon to provide a bolster having pneumatic properties.

I claim: 
     
       1. A pneumatic bolster or other pneumatic article having a predetermined end use comprising: (a) an outer casing formed of non-stretchable flexible material having predetermined strength characteristics and having a closable port therein, said casing having a geometry dictated by the end use of the article and having a predetermined maximum dimension; and   (b) a balloon formed of stretchable material having a relatively low bursting strength, said balloon being normally capable of being inflated to assume a globular form having a diameter which is greater than said casing dimension, said balloon being inserted in its uninflated state into the casing through the port and having an air-passage stem projecting out of the port, which after the balloon is inflated and stretched differentially to engage and conform to the inner surface of the non-stretchable casing, is sealed and pushed into the port which is then closed so that the balloon is then fully encased and is not permitted to stretch beyond the confines of the casing to provide a bolster having pneumatic properties, said bolster having a high bursting strength determined primarily by the strength characteristics of the casing material.   
     
     
       2. A bolster as set forth in claim 1, wherein said casing is provided with a handle. 
     
     
       3. A bolster as set forth in claim 1, wherein said bolster has a cylindrical cross section. 
     
     
       4. A pair of complementary bolsters as set forth in claim 1, each configured to define one half of a cavity accommodating an article to be protectively packaged. 
     
     
       5. A bolster as set forth in claim 1, incorporated in an article of apparel having at least one closable pocket therein to define said casing. 
     
     
       6. A bolster as set forth in claim 5, wherein said article of apparel is a T-shirt whose shoulders are each provided with said pocket. 
     
     
       7. A pneumatic bolster or other pneumatic article having a predetermined end use comprising: (a) an outer casing formed of non-stretchable flexible fabric material having predetermined strength characteristics and having a closable port therein, said casing having a geometry dictated by the end use of the article and having a predetermined maximum dimension; and   (b) a balloon formed of stretchable material having a relatively low bursting strength, said balloon being normally capable of being inflated to assume a globular form having a diameter which is greater than said casing dimension, said balloon being inserted in its uninflated state into the casing through the port whose dimensions are relatively small but sufficient to admit the balloon therein in its uninflated state, said balloon having an air-passage stem projecting out of the port, which after the balloon is inflated and stretched differentially to engage and conform to the inner surface of the non-stretchable casing, is sealed and pushed into the port so that the balloon is then fully encased and is not permitted to stretch beyond the confines of the casing to provide a bolster having pneumatic properties, said bolster having a high bursting strength determined primarily by the strength characteristics of the casing material.